‘Clicked’ – Former Wales midfielder backs Wrexham with Swansea example

March 26, 2026

Former Swansea midfielder Owain Tudur Jones backs Wrexham for the playoffs by highlighting their strengths over the Swans’ 2008/09 Championship playoff chase.

There’s still a week or more to go before Championship action resumes after the international break. But while the football action has paused, promotion talk has picked up more than ever during this two‑week pause.

Last week, Wrexham fans were left frustrated by former Cardiff star Jobi McAnuff’s playoff verdict. While his backing of Southampton would’ve stung the Reds, Wrexham will be pleased to welcome unforeseen support from an ex-Swansea midfielder.

The Swansea hero in question is Owain Tudur Jones. The former Welsh midfielder has backed Wrexham ahead of the final stretch by hailing them as doing better than Swansea’s famous 2008/09 playoff charge.

As quoted by BBC Sport Wales, Tudur Jones recalled his 2008/09 campaign with Swansea: “It took probably about six to eight weeks in to that first season for us to believe so there were a load of draws and right at the end we just missed out on the play-offs. That seems to have clicked with Wrexham sooner in the season.”

Swansea’s 2008/09 campaign compared to Wrexham’s ongoing run

Though Swansea and Wrexham now share an intense derby rivalry, ex‑Swansea midfielder Owain Tudur Jones is well placed to draw parallels between their 2008/09 campaign and Wrexham’s current run.

Notably, Swansea’s 2008/09 season was their first back in the Championship after a long absence. Having just won promotion from the third tier, they were new to the division, just like Wrexham at the start of this season.

What’s interesting further is that they had a similar start to their Championship campaigns. After a mix of wins, draws, and defeats, Swansea also found themselves hovering around mid‑table in the early months, just as Wrexham did this season.

But while Wrexham later hit a strong run of wins, Swansea found themselves stuck in a winless rut.

A run of eight consecutive draws near the halfway mark stalled their playoff momentum before it had even begun. Though the Swans put together some brilliant results thereafter, the club were always catching up with other playoff contenders.

In the end, Swansea finished close yet too far from the playoff zone. The club’s winless streak of eight draws saw them conclude the campaign at the 8th position, 10 points adrift of the playoff zone.

Wrexham are writing a better version of Swansea’s playoff charge

A stark difference between Wrexham’s and Swansea’s returns to the Championship is how quickly the Reds have adapted. As Owain Tudur Jones noted, Wrexham have clicked in terms of results far faster than the Swans did.

A key difference between Wrexham and Swansea’s 2008/09 campaign is that Wrexham never found themselves stuck in a prolonged winless streak. While they drew too many games in the first half of the season, they’ve long since shed the label of draw specialists.

Notably, Wrexham have played just two draws in the last 3 months. What has helped them further is their comeback mentality that has been forged through recent challenges.

Apart from the 8-game winless streak, Swansea’s 2008/09 campaign was derailed by extended draw spells that cost them valuable points. On the other hand, Wrexham have made a habit of turning losses into wins.

Thanks to the fightback spirit instilled by boss Phil Parkinson, Wrexham have won as many as 21 points from losing situations this season. While they could’ve been lingering in the mid-table if not for these points, Wrexham are firmly in the playoff race.

While Swansea’s 2008/09 campaign was all but over by this stage of the season, Wrexham have a lot to play for in the final stretch of the campaign. If the Reds manage a decent playoff run, they will comfortably write a better version of that Swansea story.